Light up the Fire / Colours of Day

This song, now used as a folk-style or children's hymn by some churches, was written by Parchment, a British religious folk band which formed in 1972 and worked together until 1978. Members Sue McClellan, John Paculabo and Keith Rycroft are equally credited as the composer/author. The published title is "Light up the Fire" - but it has become known over the years as "Colours of Day".

"Light up the Fire" was the title track of Parchment's first LP, released in 1972, and it became the theme song of the 'Nationwide Festival of Light', an event held by a grassroots movement formed by British Christians concerned about the changes in society towards the end of the 1960s.

As a single, Light up the Fire reached number 31 in the UK charts (the general charts, not Christian-music specific).

As a hymn, it has attracted a certain amount of scorn from both serious musicians and liturgists. Equally, there are stories from people who have found that it to be life-changing.